Safety device for elevators



June 13, 1933. A MlLLWARD 1,913,502

SAFETY DEVICE FOR ELEVATORS Filed July 9, 1952 2 Sfieets-Sheut 1 June 13,1933. I A. M. MILLWARD SAFETY DEVICE FOR ELEVATORS Filed July 9, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Az ea M. Millwa d Patented June 13, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALBERT MORRIS MILLWARD, OF SOUTHGATE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OI ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM L. STEGEMAN, OF FORT THOMAS, KENTUCKY SAFETY DEVICE Application filed July 9,

This invention relates to a safet device for elevators, the general object 0 the invention being to provide means for breaking the circuit of the operating means of the elevator when the cables become worn, or if any of the strands of the cables should break.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, referenoe will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a section line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the system.

In these drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a frame which is so supported that the cables A of the elevator will pass through the same, this frame being supported by the brackets 2 on any part of the elevator system, such as shown at 3 in Fig. 2. A pair of leaf members 4 is hinged in the frame 1 as shown at 5, and in such a manner that the inner edges of these leaves are located adjacent each other and the leaves can swing upwardly and downwardly and the free edge of each leaf is formed with a plurality of semi-circular recesses 6, which, when the leaves are in alinement, form openings for the cables A. These holes should be made large enough to give the cables sufficient clearance to allow a normal amount of sway without affecting the apparatus.

A pair of upright members 7 is attached to the frame by the brackets 8 and a switch member 9 of non-conductive material is supported by these members through means of a bolt 10 passing through the members 7 and 8 and through the lower outer corner of the switch member 9 with spacers 11 on the bolt for spacing the member 9 from the members 7 ron ELEVATORS 1932. Serial No. 621,741.

Spring contacts 12 are held against the inner faces of the upper ends of the members 7 by the terminals 13 and these spring. contacts are adapted to engage the heads 14 of a rivet 15 carried by the upper end of the member 9, as shown in Fig. 2. Fhe wires 16 are attached to these terminals 13 and are located in the circuit controlled by the switch S of the elevator as shown in Fig. 3. The switch member 9 is formed with a notch 17 for receiving portions of the leaves 4, as shown in the drawings, so as to hold the leaves in alinement with each other and against movement.

However, when the cables A become worn or any of the strands thereof should break so as to form projections for engaging the leaves as. the cables pass through the openings formed by the recesses 6, the leaves will be swung upwardly or downwardly according to the direction of movement of the cables, and thus the switch member 9 will be swung on its pivot which will cause the upper end of the switch member to pass from between the contacts 12, and thus the clrcuit to the operating means of the elevator will be broken, and the car will come to rest, and thus the attendant will know that repairs must be made.

Thus it will be seenthat-I have provided simple means for indicating that the cables of an elevator need attention a considerable time before the cables will break for as soon as a strand breaks in any one of the cables, this strand will catch one of the leaves and thus cause the apparatus to operate to break the circuit of the elevator.

I prefer to make the leaves of fiber and to attach metal hinges to their outer edges as shown. By making the leaves of fiber, wear on the cables is eliminated.

It is thought from the foregoing descrip' tion that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new is 1. A safety device for an elevator comprising a member having recesses therein 5 for the passage of the cables of the elevator,

a supporting member to which that edge of the member opposite the edge having the recesses therein is hinged, said recesses being of a size to permit free movement of the cables therethrough when said cables are free of projections formed by broken strands, such broken strands engaging a portion of a wall of the recess to move the member on its hinge, a switch member located in the circuit of the elevator means, means for connecting a part of the switch to the aforementioned member whereby when said member is moved by the breaking of a strand of a cable, the switch will be operated to break L116 elevator circuit.

2. A safety device for elevators comprising a frame, a pair of normally alined members having their outer edges hinged to the frame and having recesses in their inner 5m edges, said recesses forming openings for the passage of the elevator cables, a pair of supporting members connected with the frame a switch arm pivoted between said supporting members and having a notch therein for receiving portions of the hinged members for holding the said members in alinement, means for frictionally holding the switch arm in circuit closing position between the supporting members, said switch arm being moved to circuit breaking position when the hinged members are moved by the breaking of a strand of a cable.

3. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of alined members there- 405 in each having its outer edge hinged to the frame with its opposite or inner edge formed with recesses, the recesses of the two members forming openings through which. cables are adapted to pass, said frame and the hinged members being horizontally arranged, a pair of spaced uprights on the frame, a switch arm pivotally supported between the uprights and having a notch therein receiving portions of the hinged members, spring contacts carried by the inner faces of the. uprights, a contact member passing through the switch arm and engaging the contacts, and a circuit connected with the contacts on the uprights whereby said circuit will be opened when the switch arm is mmed by movement of the hinged members due to the breaking of a strand of a cable.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALBERT MORRIS MILLXVARD. 

